Texas Sea Grant (TXSG)
TXSG Responsibilities
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General information about oyster mariculture
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Best practices for operations
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Academic research
TXSG Contact
Oyster Aquaculture Specialist
Mario Marquez
Mmarquez42@tamu.edu
(850) 583-6801
Texas Parks and Wildlife Department (TPWD)
TPWD Responsibilities
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Commercial Oyster Mariculture (COM) regulations and requirements
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COM permitting process
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Operations plan requirements
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Best management practices
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Natural resources and sensitive habitats
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TPWD Contact:
Siting, Natural Resources, and Natural Resource Survey Questions
Emma Clarkson
Emma.Clarkson@tpwd.texas.gov
(361) 694-0226
Texas General Land Office (GLO)
GLO Responsibilities
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Submerged land lease (required for TPWD COM permit)
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Oil and gas infrastructure – 1000-foot foot buffer
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Conflicting uses
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Existing leases
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Sand source/dredge placement
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Projects located within 1,000 feet of the shoreline
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Applicant must obtain written consent from all private property owners located less than 1,000 feet from proposed lease location.
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GLO Contacts
Permitting/Leasing Questions
Permitting.assistance@glo.texas.gov
Upper Coast Applicants (north of Colorado River)
409-741-4057 / 866-894-7664 (Toll Free)
Mid and Lower Coast Applicants
361-886-1630
Programmatic Questions
Amy Nunez
Amy.nunez@glo.texas.gov
361-886-1605
Texas Commission on Environmental Quality (TCEQ)
TCEQ Responsibilities
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Discharge Permits (Required for TPWD COM Permit)
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Texas Surface Water Quality Monitoring Program
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Water rights
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Section 401 Water Quality Certifications (for Clean Water Act Section 404 Permits)
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Required for USACE Permit, and will also be required at time of re-authorization of USACE
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More information on Section 401/404 available online
TCEQ Contacts
Questions about Wastewater
Mónica Vallin-Báez, Industrial Wastewater Permits Team, Water Quality Division
512-239-5787
Monica.baez@tceq.texas.gov
Questions about Water Rights
Chris Kozlowski, Water Rights Permitting Team, Water Availability Division
512-239-4691
Chris.kozlowski@tceq.texas.gov
Questions about 401 Certifications
Mimi Wallace
512-239-4604
Mimi.wallace@tceq.texas.gov
401certs@tceq.texas.gov
Texas Department of Agriculture (TDA)
TDA Responsibilities
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TDA Aquaculture Permit (required for TPWD COM permit)
TDA Contact
Coordinator for Grain Warehouse, HMPC and Aquaculture
Larry Mitchell
Lawrence.mitchell@texasagriculture.gov
(512) 936-2430
U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE)
USACE Responsibilities
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General coordination with federal and state agencies
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Navigation concerns
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USACE Real Estate concerns
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Coordination with federal partners for Threatened and Endangered Species Concerns
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USACE Permit required for TPWD COMP
USACE Contacts
General Number
(409) 766-3869
Upper Coast Field Station
Kristi McMillian
Kristi.N.McMillian@usace.army.mil
(409) 766-3083
Lower Coast Field Station
Matt Kimmel
Matthew.L.kimmel@usace.army.mil
(361) 814-5847
Texas Historical Commission (THC)
THC Responsibilities
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Archaeological surveys: The requirement for an archaeological survey will be determined during the USACE NWP application process.
THC Contact
State Marine Archeologist
Amy Borgens
Amy.Borgens@thc.texas.gov
U.S. Coast Guard (USCG)
USCG Responsibilities
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Navigation concerns
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Signage and marking requirements for facilities
USCG Contact
Waterways Management Division
Kevin Kyles
Kevin.L.Kyles@uscg.mil
(504) 671-2328
U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service (USFWS)
USFWS Responsibilities
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Threatened and endangered species
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Wildlife refuge property
USFWS Contacts
Coastwide
Charles Ardizzone
Chuck_Ardizzone@fws.gov
Upper Coast
David Hoth
David_Hoth@fws.gov
(281) 212-1504
Lower Coast
Mary Sandra Lee
Mary_Lee@fws.gov
(361) 225-7316
NOAA National Marine Fisheries Service (NMFS)
NMFS Responsibilities
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Threatened and endangered species
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Essential fish habitats
NMFS Contacts
Southeast Regional Office Branch Chief
Rusty Swafford
Rusty.Swafford@noaa.gov
(409) 766-3699
Fish & Wildlife Biologist
Charrish Stevens
Charrish.stevens@noaa.gov (409) 766-3699
Other Useful Contacts
Sea Turtle Hotline
(866) TURTLE-5
